Key Benefits Of Dry Needling

Dry Needling is a medical technique performed by a skilled physical therapist to immediately reduce pain, muscle tension and improve mobility. It is used in a variety of musculoskeletal problems including, but not limited to: acute or chronic injuries, headaches, neck pain, back pain, tendinitis, muscle spasms, “Sciatica”, hip or knee pain, muscle strains, fibromyalgia, tennis or golfer’s elbow, overuse injuries, and much more.

Dry Needling is a medical technique performed by a skilled physical therapist to immediately reduce pain.

When thinking about other therapeutic modalities to release muscle tension and ease joint pain, Dry Needling may be a great practice for you. Sometimes just solely practicing manual therapy or regular therapeutic exercises alone is not enough to fully release all tension and pain throughout the body. The combination of standard therapeutic exercises with medical practices like dry needling has been successful for many patients throughout New Orleans. 

What Is Dry Needling?

Dry Needling is a professional medical technique performed by a skilled physical therapist to immediately reduce pain, release muscle tension, and improve mobility. This therapeutic modality is used in a variety of musculoskeletal problems including acute or chronic injuries, headaches, neck pain, back pain, tendinitis, muscle spasms, “Sciatica”, hip or knee pain, muscle strains, fibromyalgia, tennis or golfer’s elbow, overuse injuries, and much more.

Dry Needling is a treatment technique often used by professionally trained physical therapists to relieve pain. It requires using a sterile acupuncture needle that is inserted through the skin into muscles, tendons, ligaments, and/or close to nerves to immediately reduce pain, decrease muscle tension and increase mobility. The physical therapist goes through additional certification process to be qualified to administer this techniques.

Is Dry Needling The Same As Acupuncture?

Although similar, Dry Needling is not acupuncture. Instead of practicing forms of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) as acupuncture does, Dry Needling is based on a modern scientific study of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems.

Using slightly thicker needles than acupuncture, Dry Needling targets painful areas in muscles throughout the body known as trigger points. This medical therapeutic technique provides an environment that enhances the body’s ability to heal, allowing inflamed and tense muscles to release tension and ultimately reducing or eliminating pain.

Licensed physical therapists in a growing number of states can use dry needling under the scope of their practice with an additional dry needling certification.

It is important to recognize that acupuncture practice does not require a degree in physical therapy, only an acupuncture license. Our physical therapists do not have licensed acupuncturists on staff and do not practice acupuncture. In contrast to most schools of acupuncture, dry needling is strictly based on Western medicine principles and modern scientific research.

What Can Be Treated By Dry Needling?

Dry Needling is a powerful treatment technique that when used in conjunction with our other physical therapy treatments, can help you relieve your pain and improve function quickly.

Dry Needling can be used for a variety of musculoskeletal problems. When combined with traditional physical therapy and advanced manual therapy techniques, our physical therapists have had success treating most pain-related problems. From acute to chronic conditions, any muscular or tendon  pain or discomfort experienced from head to toe can benefit from Dry Needling practices.

As Dry Needling aims to release tension, tightness, soreness, and other musculoskeletal pain, this medical practice can be applied to a wide range of physical therapy treatments.

Is Dry Needling Painful?

For most people, there is little to no discomfort with the insertion of the needle. We strive to make the treatment virtually painless, however, at times, you may experience a “twitch response” which often feels like a quick muscle cramp or ache. These sensations are normal and even desirable at times as the Dry Needling technique identifies trigger points throughout the body and releases tension.

Most patients report immediate relief after Dry Needling treatments. As the body releases tension and tightness throughout the medical practice, lactic acid buildup may occur, as muscle soreness can be felt for up to 24-48 hours as well. The application of heat or ice and drinking plenty of fluids usually reduces the soreness and is highly recommended.

What Are Overall Benefits Of Dry Needling?

With a wide range of patients with different areas and types of pain, Dry Needling has consistently been successful for a multitude of patients in New Orleans. In addition to healing injuries or recovering from sports, the benefits of Dry Needling Therapy go beyond diminishing inflammation and improving oxygen circulation throughout the body. Increased blood flow, decreased muscle tightness, and improved overall physical healing responses are all benefits reported by patients who have experienced Dry Needling treatment.

Dry Needling is a powerful treatment technique that when in used conjunction with our other physical therapy treatments, can help you relieve your pain and improve your function quickly. In order to effectively reduce pain levels while strengthening the musculoskeletal system, Dry Needling is a great medical technique in addition to manual therapy or regular therapeutic exercises. Patients should undergo Dry Needling treatments around 1-3 times a week.

For more information, or Schedule an appointment at our Elmwood, Marigny, or Westbank centers for dry needle therapy near me.